Battery loading compartment for portable radio receiver casings and the like



United States Application August 5, 1958, Serial No. 753,301

13 Claims. (Cl. Z50-14) The present invention relates to portable radio receivers, and the like, which operate on small battery power from flashlight or similar small dry-cell type batteries carried in the receiver casing. More particularly, the present invention relates to means for mounting and holding a dry-cell type battery, comprising one or more cartridge-like elements, in portable radio receivers and like equipment. Such receivers are generally transistorized and are housed in small plastic or semi-llexible casings. Leather or simulated leather casings with top handles are presently popular.

In battery operated portable radio receivers and the like, liashlight or cartridge type cells have long been used, and the battery of one or more cells is normally located in or on the apparatus chassis and connected in circuit by clips or other terminal means on the ends of flexible battery wires. Furthermore, access to the battery generally is provided through a removable or hinged cover secured by screw or latch means to keep the casing closed tightly against dust and other foreign material that might enter due to its use. Therefore, it is diiicult generally to open the casing and to replace the battery units, and there is danger of disturbing the interior equipment and the wiring when this is done.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an improved battery mounting and holding means for battery operated portable radio receivers and the like, which facilitates replacement of the battery units without opening the casing or disturbing any of the interior equipment or wiring.

Portable radio receivers, particularly of the battery operated type, are carried from place to place and may receive careless handling, therefore battery mounting and holding means for use therein must be rugged and provide reliable contact between the battery terminals and the battery circuits of the apparatus.

It is therefore a further object of this invention to pro vide an improved battery mounting and holding means which affords rm support for a plurality of battery units or cartridges in end-to-end contacting alignment in a portable radio receiver casing and reliable circuit contact therewith, under all conditions of operation encountered in the use of portable equipment of this type.

In accordance with the invention, the casing of a portable battery operated radio receiver or the like is provided with a battery loading compartment comprising possibility of increased contact resistance due to wear, `corrosion or rough usage. The locking and contact means is a conical or tapered helical compression spring having integral lugs mounted in the closure means. The

A cap-like closure means for the loading port p atent battery loading compartment construction in accordance with the invention is particularly adapted for use with `personal or miniature portable radio receivers of the type having leather or similar semi-rigid walled casings. The contact construction for effectively locking of the cap into the loading port includes a combined reinforcing and contact plate of conducting material which provides electrical contact for the lugs and stitfens the normally semi-rigid wall of the casing in an area about the loading port, and thus facilitates the insertion, and locking and unlocking, of the closure means.

The invention will, however, be further understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, Y

Figure 1 isa rear elevational view, partly broken away and partly in cross-section, of a portable: radio receiver, with the back cover removed, showing a battery` loading compartment embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an end View of the radio receiver of Figure l showing an exterior portion of the battery loading compartment;

Figure 3 is an exploded view in perspective, of the battery loading compartment elements of Figures l and 2, including a portion of the casing wall, showingrsthe relationship of the various elements in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 4 is a similar View in perspective, and partly in section, of certain of the elements of Figure 3 further showing their cooperative relationship in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing, wherein like parts and elements are designated by like reference characters throughout the various figures, and referring particularly to Figures l and 2, the receiver or apparatus casing 5, is substantially rectangular in form and is constructed of simulated leather or like semi-rigid material having two layers 6a and 6b, as shown more clearly in Figure l for one end wall 6. The layers are Vcemented or sewed together to make the casing and the walls thereof substantially rigid. The interior of the casing houses the receiver apparatus comprising an equipment chassis 8, a `ferrite rod antenna 9, and a loud speaker l0, all mounted against the inner face of the front Wall 11. An exterior volume control knob is indicated at 12.

The receiver equipment or other apparatus in the casing is arranged to provide a battery compartment or space along one Wall of the casing, such as the lower wall 13, for the battery mounting means in accordance with the invention. The battery compartment may be located p along any wall of the casing which has an adjoining wall substantially at a right angle thereto, such as, in the present example, the end wall 6. Between these walls a ready-access battery compartment is provided in the casing, comprising an elongated inner receptacle or holder 14 of tubular form mounted on :and secured to the one wall in closely spaced relation to the other adjoiningwall and aligned axially with a circular battery loading port 15 therein. The receptacle holds a plurality of duplicate cylindrical battery cells or cartridges 14, which may be of the usual flashlight type, in end-toend contacting alignment'. For this purpose, the port and Vthe receptacle are both of a diameter or size to freely receive the battery units, that is, slightly greater than the diameter of the battery units used in `the apparatus..

Referring now to Figure 3 along with Figures l and 2, the battery holder or receptacle 14 is preferably of cast or moulded plastic or other rigid non-conducting material in tubular form, such as in the form of an open- .ended trough, of a length to receive and hold a multiple present example, tothe bottom wall of the casing, lb'y Y self-tapping screws 1'8 or other suitable rn'eans. Y

The common base strip 17 `is providedwith a groove or slot '20 on its `inner oripper face, 'as viewed in Figure 3, to receive in one end a'at strip conductor'for vspring contact element 2:1 having an anchor prong 22`whi`ch frictionallyflocks in the groove 20. The Contact element' h21 "also has an angular contactp'ortion 23 which stands substantially vertically as Viewed in the vdrawing and lies across the adjacent or inner end ofthe batteryholder or're'ceptacle, as shown in Figure kl, topirovide an inner resilient'baaer'y enacting 'and holding element for said eceptacle. This is provided 'with 'awire terminal connecting tap 24 for one of the battery supply leads 25 ofthe apparatus.

yReferring now to Figure it along with the preceding ''gure's, a'similar'wire'terminal connecting tab 23 for the other battery supply lead 29 of the apparatus is provided on a reinforcing plate 30 of conducting 'materiaL such as sheet copper, which i-s secured, as by integral Ylocking prongs Y32, to the end wall `6 in 'whichthe port is located, in an area adjacent to and "surrounding the port. The'reinforcing plate is lprovided with a circular opening 35 vwhich Valigns with the port 15 with a slight Vclearance and serves to strengthen and stiifen the casing wall about the port or opening `15 when applied and locked thereto as shown.

A flanged hollow battery cap 36, recessed on its inner end to receive and hold "a spring Contact land locking device or'ele'ment 38, is provided as a detachable closure means for the loading port 15. As indicated in vFigures 1"and'2,'this closure means andthe loading portare in oneend wall,"n`ear the bottom ofthe casing preferably, so that the battery weight internally can stabilize the receiverwhen in use, vagainst tipping. The cap closes the "port 15 and the `spring element 38 provides a resilient connection vbetween the reinforcing plate and the forward terminal end of the'battery group in the holder 14. The cap, preferably of molded plastic material, is circular in'shape a's indicated more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, and comprises a hollow cylindrical inner body 40 which lits the loading port 15 in the casing, and an integral outer circular disk or flange 41 which seats tightly against the outer face of the casing wall about the'port or opening 15, as indicated in Figure 1.

The cylindrical body 4@ of the capprovides a socket Vor holder for the spring contact and locking device 38 which is seated therein. This device or element is a coni cal or helical compression spring of Phosphor bronze or the like, having two diametrically opposite contact and locking loops or lugs 43 formed in a larger convolution 44 of the spring nearv the base or fixed end thereof which terminatesin a hook or foot 45 bearing against the inner -face of the cap. The lugs 43 project or extend radially through suitable diametrically opposite'slots y47 provided in thecylindrical body 40 of the cap, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The `lug`s43provide means integral with the tapered helical` or conical compression spring 3'8'for locking the cap'36, and `also provide'electrical contact with'the reinforcing'plate 30""about the Vopening 3S in theplate.

:Both the Vp'ort"1'5 and thel opening 35 are provided with aligned slots at diametrically opposite points, as indicated by the slots 50 in the port 15 and the slots 51` inv the opening 375,.to receive andpass the lugs 43, and the plate 30 is provided with a stop stud 52 integral therewith at the edge of the opening 35 in theplate. This operates tofstop the upper lug 43, as viewed inthe drawing, when the cap 36 is rotated clockwise, as viewed in Figure k2,

Vinto locked position.

With the battery mounting and holding means shown the back of the case may be tightly and permanently closed, except for inspection and servicing, as by a suitable cover 55, shown in Figure 2, applied to the back opening and secured by any suitable means, thus keeping the casing closed Vtightly against dust `andother material to vwhichiit may be` subjected in use because 'of 'itsportability. However, the battery elements may be changed without danger of Vdisturbing the interior equipment and Wiring, yas the 'casing is not actually "opened to Vreplace the battery.

The'cap 36 may 'be rotated 'afraction of aturn to re'- lcase the lugs 43 and is then withdrawn, with the lugs passing through, the slots 50 and 51. Since the battery holder 14 is aligned axially with the opening or port 15, the old battery elements 17 may be slipped out through the opening by tipping the casing. The new battery elements are then inserted end-to-end in a manner, asfindicated in 'Figure `1, to provide the proper :polarity at kthe inner end or terminal which contacts the lresilient strip or terminal end 23 of the inner contact element. The tapered conical tip or end contact element 56 of the spring contact and locking 'element V3S engages `the opposite terminal end of the battery when the cap y36 is inserted and turned into locked position, as indicated in `Figures 2 and 4. The Vspring element 3S is then compressed slightly to force the battery elements by pressure longitudinally tightly against the resilient contact element 23. T he length of the'holder' lki may be made'shorter if a lesser number of battery elements are to be used, or it may be made longer if a greater numb'er of Velements are required for any given apparatus, thus being in length substantially a multiple of the length of one battery element. The number of units shown in Figure 1 is`that for a present commercial model of a transistorized receiver requiring three 11/2 volt flashlight cells or battery elements.

The construction shown provides simplified, economical and reliable means for 'retaining small Vdryrbatteries of the ashlight type in position in a receiver casing, and positive 'contact with the receiver battery circuits, with minimum'liability or possibility of increased contact resistancedue to wear, corrosion or careless handling of the receiver. It is particularly adaptedfor use with receivers having casings of semi-rigid material such as layers of leather or-simulated leather as referred to in the present example. The reinforcing plate covers a -substantialarea about the loading port. and'functions as arigid member to stilfen the casing wall against which the locking cap maybe seated. At the same time, lit provides an effective double contact with the closure means lugs for connecting thelead wire 29 with the large area end of the battery element withk a positive pressure contact. The terminal arrangement hasY aturther advantage that the recessed, flattened contact areas Vholder in the wrong direction. Furthermore, the contact elementsarelreadily detachable from the cap Vand the battery holder for replacement should they become brokenor corroded in use.

In addition, the battery holderor batte'ryloading compartment arrangement, in accordance with the' invention, tits sungly-along and 'againstone wall of th'einterior of 'the casing substantially out oftheway ofthe apparatus and. equipment in the casingand requires only* thata smallreadily controlled loading port be provided in an adjoining wall in alignment therewith, such as a convenient end wall near the bottom of the casing, as in the present example. This arrangement is of importance in small portable radio receiver apparatus and the like for the reason that space is at a premium in such equipments. It is therefore essential that the battery holder per se should take up as little space as possible to allow maximum battery space in a minimum of cabinet space. The battery holder in accordance with the invention therefore conforms to this requirement and in addition affords iirm support for the battery, being secured to and along one wallof the casing.

I claim:

l. The combination with a casing for portable batteryoperated electrical apparatus, of fa battery loading compartment therefor comprising, 4an elongated tubular inner battery receptacle extending along one wall of the casing, a battery terminal contact element carried by said j receptacle, means providing a circular battery loading port for the compartment in an adjoining wall of the casing in alignment with the axis of said receptacle, a contact plate of conducting material secured to said adjoining wall on the inner surface thereof in an area surrounding said port, a flanged cap-like cylindrical closure means for the port, and spring contact and locking means mounted in said closure means for resiliently engaging a battery terminal and having radial lug elements providing locking and electrical contact with said plate.

2. The combination with a casing for portable battery operated electrical apparatus, of a battery loading compartment therefor comprising, an elongated tubular inner battery receptacle extending along one wall of the casing, a resilient spring contact element carried by and extending facross one end of said receptacle, means providing a circular battery loading port for the compartment in an adjoining wall of the casing in alignment with the axis of said receptacle and spaced from the other end thereof, a contact plate of conducting and reinforcing material secured to said adjoining wall on the inner surface thereof in an area surrounding said port, a flanged cap-like cylindrical closure means for the port, and spring contact and locking means mounted in said closure means and having radial lug elements integral therewith providfing locking and electrical contact with said plate.

3. The combination with a casing for portable battery-operated electrical apparatus, of a battery loading compartment therefor comprising, an elongated tubular inner battery receptacle extending along and secured to one wall of the casing, a spring contact element carried by land extending across one end of said receptacle for resiliently electrically contacting and holding the battery in said receptacle, means providing a circular battery loading port for the compartment in an adjoining wall of the casing in alignment with the axis of said receptacle to convey the battery into and out of said receptacle without opening said casing, a contact plate of conducting and reinforcing material secured to said adjoining wall on the inner surface thereof in an area surrounding said port, a llanged cap-like cylindrical closure means for the port, and helical spring contact and locking means seated in said closure means for resiliently contacting the battery at the other end of the receptacle, said last named means having radial lug elements providing locking and electrical contact with said plate.

4. The combination with a casing for portable batteryoperated electrical apparatus, of a battery loading cornpartment therefor comprising, an elongated tubular inner battery receptacle for a plurality of duplicate cell units extending along and secured to one wall of the casing, a at spring contact element carried by and extending across one end of said receptacle for resiliently electrically contacting and holding the cell units in said receptacle, means providing a circular battery loading port for the compartment in an adjoining wall of the casing in alignment with the axis of said receptacle and closely spaced from the other end thereof to convey battery units into and out of said receptacle without opening said casing, a contact plate of conducting and. reinforcing material secured to said adjoining wall on the inner surface thereof in an area surrounding said port, a anged caplilre cylindrical closure means for the port, and helical spring contact and locking means seated in said closure means, said last named means having two radial lug elements integral vwith one convolution thereof providing locking and electrical contact With said plate and an end contact element for resiliently electrically contacting and applying longitudinal pressure to the cell units in said receptacle.

5. The combination with a casing for portable batteryoperated electrical apparatus, of a battery loading compartment therefor comprising, an elongated tubular inner receptacle extending along one wall of the casing for receiving andv holding a plurality of battery units 'in end-to-end contacting alignment, a at spring contact element carried by and extending across one end of said receptacle for resiliently contacting one end terminal of the innermost battery unit, means providing a circular battery loading port for the compartment in an adjoining wall of the casing in alignment with the axis of said receptacle and closely spaced from the other end thereof for inserting and withdrawing battery units without opening the casing, a contact plate of conducting and reinforcing material secured to said adjoining wall on the inner surface thereof in an area surrounding said port, la flanged cap-like cylindrical closure means for the port, spring contact and locking means mounted in saidclosure means having a spring element for resiliently contacting one end terminal of the outermost battery unit and. radial lug elements integral with the spring element providing locking and electrical contact with said plate, ,and supply leads in said casing connected with said contact element and said contact plate.

6. The combination with a portable radio receiver casing, of a battery loading compartment therefor comprising, an elongated tubular inner battery receptacle secured to and along one fixed wall of the casing, a resilient spring contact element carried by and extending across one end of said receptacle, means providing a circular port in a second xed wall of the casing in alignment with the axis of said receptacle and spaced from the other end 4thereof for loading and unloading battery units in said receptacle, a contact plate of conducting and reinforcing material secured to said adjoining wall on the inner surface thereof in an area surrounding said port, a flanged hollow battery cap for the port seated against the outer surface of said second wall about the port, a helical spring contact and locking device in said cap having two integral radial lugs providing locking and electrical contact with said plate, and supply leads in said casing connected with said contact element and said plate.

7. The combination with a portable radio receiver casing, of a battery loading compartment therefor comprising, an elongated inner battery receptacle for a plurality of duplicate cell units, said receptacle being of openended trough-like form secured to and along one wall of the casing and having bowed retaining walls conforming to the `shape of said units, a flat resilient spring `contact element carried by and extending across an inner end of said receptacle, means providing a circular battery loading port in an adjoining Wall of the casing in alignment with the axis of said receptacle and spaced. from the other and outer end thereof, a contact plate of conducting and reinforcing material secured to said adjoining wall on the inner surface thereof in an area surrounding said port, a cap-like closure means for the port having an inner hollow cylindrical body fitting the port and an outer circular flange seated against the outer surface of said adjoining wall about the port, a helical spring contact and locking device mounted in the body of said closure means having two :radial lugs integral with one convolution thereof providing locking and electrical contact with said plate, ,and supply leads in said casing connected with said contact element vand said plate. v

I8 The combination with a portable radio receiver casing havinga ymain closure means for an inspection and servicing opening therein, of a battery loading compartment Itherefor comprising, an elongatedrinner battery receptacle Vof -open-ended trough-like form having a base Tpor-tion secured to and along one xed wall of the casing and two inwardly bowed retaining walls adjoined to lsaid `base portion, a flat resilient spring contact element carried by and lextending across an inner end of said receptacle, means providing a circular port in a second xed wall of the casing in alignment with the a-xis of said receptacle andspaced from vthe other and outer end thereof -forloading and unloading battery units in said receptacle without opening said .casing at said main closure means, -a contact-plate of conducting and reinforcing `material secured ,to said yadjoining wall on the inner surface thereof in an areal surrounding said port, a anged Ihollow battery cap for the port seated in said port and against the outer surface of said second wall about the port, a helical spring contact and locking device in said cap having two radial lugs integral with one convolution :thereof providing locking and electrical contact ywith saidplate, andsupply leads in said casing connected with said contact element. and said plate.

,'9. The combination-with a casing for portable batteryoperated electrical apparatus, of a battery loading compartment therefor, comprising an elongated tubular inner receptacle extending along and secured to one Wall of the casing of a diameter to freely receive and hold a plurality of battery units in end-to-end contacting alignment,

a liat spring contact element detachably anchored in and extending across an inner end of said receptacle for resiliently contacting .one end terminal of the innermost battery unit, means providing a circular loading port for the compartmentin an adjoining wall of the casing in alignment withthe Vaxis of said receptacle and closely spacedfrom the opposite and outer end thereof for inserting new battery units in'and withdrawing usedbattery units from the receptacle without opening the casing, said port being of a diameter slightly larger than that of a battery unit, a contact plate of conducting and reinforcing material secured to said adjoining wall on the inner sur- "face thereof'in an area surrounding said port, allanged cap-like cylindrical closuremeans for the port, a tapered V'helical spring contact and locking device mountedin said Vclosure means having two radial lug elements integral `therewith providing locking and electrical contact with said plate, and supply leads'in said casingconnectedwith said contact element and said plate.

tact and locking means mounted `in `s aid closure means for resiliently engaging a battery terminal `and having radial lug elements providing locking and electrical Contact with said plate.

ll. Thefcornbination with a casing for portable batteryoperated electrical apparatus, of a battery loading vcornpartment therefor comprising, means vproviding an elongated inner battery receptacle extending `along one wall of the casing, a spring Contact element extending acrossat one end of said receptacle for resiliently electrically contac-ting and holding a battery in said receptacle, means providing a `circular battery loading port for the lcornpartrnent in an adjoining wall ofthe casing `in alignment with the axis of said receptacle at the other end thereof to convey the battery .into and out of said receptacle without opening said casing, a contact plate ofconducting material on the inner surface of said adjoining wall in an area surrounding said port, a cap-likecylindrical closure means for the port, and spring contact andlocking means seated in said closure means Yfor resiliently contacting the battery at said other end of the receptacle, said last named means lhaving radial lug elements providing locking and electrical contact with said plate.

l2. The combination with a portable radio receiver casing, of a battery loading compartment therefor comprising, elongated inner battery receptacle meansl extending along .one wall of thecasing, a resilient V,spring oo ntact element extending across one end of said receptacle, means providing a circular battery loadingport ina second wall of the casing in alignmentwitn the axis of said receptacle means and spaced from the other end thereof, a contact plate vof conducting materia-lion theinner surface of said second `wall in an area surrounding said port, a cylindrical hollow closure cap yfor the port, a spring contact and locking device in said cap having two radial Vlug elements providing locking and electrical contact with said plate, and power supply leads in said casingconnected with said contact element and saidl plate. I

13. The combination with a casing for portable battery-operated electrical apparatus, of a battery 'loading compartment therefor comprising, means providing an elongated tubular inner receptacle extending along one wall of the casing of a diameter to freelyreceive and 'hold a plurality of battery units in end-to-end contacting alignment, aat spring contact elementextending across an inner end of said receptacle forresili'ently contacting one end terminal of the innermost battery unit, means providing a circular loading port for the'compartment in an adjoining wall of the casing in alignment with the axis of saidreceptacle and closely spacedfrom the opposite'and outer end thereof for inserting new battery units in and withdrawing used battery units from the receptacle without opening the casing, said port being ofa diameter slightly larger thanfthat of a battery unit, a contact plate of conducting material on the inner surface of said adioining wall in an area surrounding saidport, a flanged cap-like cylindricalk closure means for the port, a tapered helical spring contact and locking device mounted in said closure means having two radial lug elements integral therewith providing locking and electrical contact with said plate, and power supply leads in said casing connected with said kcontact element and said plate.

No references cited. 

